Paper snack writer: kebab man turns author

April 16, 2009

Updated: Tuesday, June 8, 2010 (10:01)

Malcolm Scott with his first novel

A FAST food seller from Huntingdonshire has written a novel inspired by the things he has witnessed from behind the counter of his kebab trailer. Malcolm Scott, 58, from Copingford near Sawtry, has spent eight years working on his book, Do you want chips

A FAST food seller from Huntingdonshire has written a novel inspired by the things he has witnessed from behind the counter of his kebab trailer.

Malcolm Scott, 58, from Copingford near Sawtry, has spent eight years working on his book, Do you want chips with that?

The novel follows the life of Ben Arnold, a 34-year-old kebab van owner living in rural Cambridgeshire. It is written in diary format, and follows Ben's battles with difficult customers, his low self-esteem and general bad luck.

Malcolm told The Hunts Post: "It's inspired by some of the humorous things that happen when working in a fast food trailer.

"I have put a story round things that have happened or things that have nearly happened."

Malcolm, who is married with four children and two grandchildren, spent most of his life working in sales and marketing. He opened his kebab trailer in 1995 after seeing a business opportunity when an older van went out of business.

While working in the van around Sawtry, Malcom became aware of the funny characters and events he was seeing. He began to make notes on them which developed into his 472 page novel.

"I've always been a bit of a people watcher," he said.

Malcolm is also a FA licensed referee instructor and assessor and still referees 11-a-side and 7-a-side games in Huntingdon to keep fit.

And to keep his creativity going, Malcolm has already started work on a sequel.

INFORMATION: Do you want chips with that? is available from Amazon for £13.99.